[Greens-Media] Media Release: Colonial move sees Norfolk Island lose its democracy

[David Shoebridge]

Colonial move sees Norfolk Island lose its democracy

Media Release: 31 May 2016

The democratic rights of the people of Norfolk Island have taken another blow today with the passage of NSW legislation that will facilitate the Commonwealth Government’s moves to impose NSW laws and NSW government services on Norfolk Islanders, without granting them any voting rights in the NSW Parliament.

The Greens supported moves for the bill to be referred to a Parliamentary committee to allow the people of Norfolk Island to be heard in relation to the decision to seriously overhaul their governance arrangements, but this was voted down by the Coalition and right wing minor parties.  A Greens amendment to require consideration of how to extend the NSW democratic franchise to Norfolk Island, and give the people of the island a vote in this State, was also voted down.

Greens MP and Local Government Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“The refusal to allow a committee inquiry, which would have provided a crucial opportunity for the people of Norfolk Island to be heard, is just another insult to the people of Norfolk Islander who have seen more than 150 proud years of self-government taken away from them.

“The Coalition claims that this bill will assist the people of Norfolk Island, yet it has refused to engage in any meaningful consultation or discussion with Norfolk Islanders in preparing this bill.

 “Legislating for people without consulting with them reeks of colonial arrogance, an arrogance that we should have put well behind us by now.

“The Norfolk Island Parliament is set to be replaced by what is in effect a local council established under NSW laws.

“Norfolk Islanders will be subject to the laws of NSW but will get no vote in the NSW Parliament. This is grossly undemocratic.

“Bizarrely, they are being forced to become a part of the Federal electorate of Canberra which is almost 2,000km away.

“The changes will see Norfolk Islanders governed by the laws of NSW, a jurisdiction in which they have no vote.

“They will also see them paying taxes, without representation equal to that of other taxpayers in NSW or Australia.

“Both the NSW and Federal Government seem far more concerned about imposing their own governance ideas on Norfolk Island than actually delivering what the residents of the island need,” Mr Shoebridge said.



Media contact David Shoebridge 0408 113 952





David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 9230 3030 |T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>

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